Zack by Sawyer Bennett

Zack by Sawyer Bennett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Having read Garrett, I knew that Zack was going to be an emotional read as it was going to focus on Zack’s recovery from the car accident in which Gina, his long-time girlfriend and the mother of his child, died. From chapter one, it’s easy to figure out where the ending is headed, but that does not mean that the story is predictable or unenjoyable because I freaking loved this book. Ms. Bennett has created a seriously sexy but broken hockey player who is suffering from a huge case of survivor’s guilt with Zack. But her true talent shines with Kate. I never would have believed it possible to create a dorky and socially awkward young woman who doesn’t seem to possess a shy bone in her body that is completely believable, and yet she did – even better, she made me love Kate completely.

Kate has a rather sad past that would have left most people emotionally crippled and bitter, but she’s not and her past gives her an unusual understanding of some of what Zack is dealing with. It also gives her the ability to accept him as he is, know that almost all of his lashing out comes from a place of guilt (even if it is not until much later in the book that she learns the full depth of his guilt), the ability to forgive him when needed because of that, and the wherewithal to call him out on his skewed thinking and BS when he needs it. She does all of this while taking on the role of his son Ben’s nanny – a job she does wonderfully thanks to her experience with her nephews. Not surprisingly, when Zack realizes that Kate is hiding a stellar body under her too baggy clothes the level of comfort he has obtained with her grudgingly during her employment quickly becomes more until he can no longer deny that she has done what no trip to a strip club has done since Gina’s death – ignited a fire inside and making him feel again. Despite dancing around it, the sexual attraction becomes too much for him to fight and when he gives in, it is WOW! And it just gets better and better with each encounter that occurs in the book. I have to give it to Kate with her willingness to give a strictly sexual relationship a go even knowing that she was likely setting herself up for heartbreak. Now THAT scene broke my ever-loving heart because the author made me hurt for BOTH Kate and Zack.

Beyond the not-the-least-bit-simple relationship between Zack and Kate, there is so much about this book that I enjoyed. The interactions between Kate and Ben were absolutely lovely and I got a kick out of her solution to his tantrums. I found Zack and Ben’s interactions to be just as touching because it was clear how much Zack loved his son. Other than the supremely hot sex scenes, my favorite scene was when Kate kicked Michelle out of the house. Kate is one mama bear you do NOT want to rile because as sweet and innocent as she seems, you do not want to piss off a southern woman. I laughed my butt off at that scene. I loved how Sutton and Ryker involved themselves in Kate’s life and how Zack FINALLY showed Kate that he had his act together. I loved Zack and cannot wait to read Ryker (which I already have marked off on my schedule) and hopefully I’ll find some free time on my reading schedule to work Alex in first as I still have to back and read it.

Check out the Zack by Sawyer Bennett Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.

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